- A notice setting out the renewable energy (RE) premium rates applicable for the different renewable energy technologies for the 2019 tax period was gazetted in June 2020.
- However, it was brought to the attention of the National Treasury that there is a lack of clarity on the RE premium rates to be used to determine the quantum of the offset for the 2020 tax period since the current notice and RE premiums were only applicable for the 2019 tax period.
To provide policy certainty to taxpayers, changes to the above-mentioned notice are necessary to clarify that the RE premium rates contained in the current notice would be applicable for the 2020 tax period. The new draft notice proposes the removal of the limitation of the tax period for which the RE premium rates would be applicable.
Therefore, the latest draft notice now proposes that the renewable energy premium in respect of 2020 tax period and future tax periods will be:
- R2.09/kWh for biomass
- R4.11/kWh for concentrated solar power
- R1.35/kWh for landfill gas
- R1.23/kWh for onshore wind power
- R2.27/kWh for solar PV power
- R1.61/kWh for hydropower not exceeding 15 MW of installed capacity
- R0.84c/kWh for hydropower of greater than 15 MW installed capacity
Treasury explains that this will address any uncertainties for the period between the lapse of the old notice and gazetting of the new notice and avoid delays in the submission of carbon tax returns to SARS by taxpayers for the 2020 tax period. Any possible future adjustments of the RE premium will be made by way of an announcement in the Budget and publication of a draft notice for public consultation.
The National Treasury hereby invites written comments from interested stakeholders on the Draft Renewable Energy Premium Notice.
Comments should be submitted to carbontax@treasury.gov.za by the close of business on 3 September 2021. Following receipt and consideration of public comments, changes will be made to the notice and a final notice will be published in the Government Gazette.
Link to full notice HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
